Fresh confusion has hit the federal government’s 117 unity colleges as a faction of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has ordered an indefinite shutdown of the schools, defying the government directive for students to resume the 2026/2027 academic session yesterday.
The latest development has deepened the lingering dispute between the Federal Ministry of Education and the organised labour over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, to the old boys association of the school, with parents now caught between conflicting directives from the government, unions and school authorities.
Consequently, the ministry directed principals to notify parents and guardians that students, who were yet to return, should resume yesterday, Sunday, September 20, 2026, while ensuring that relevant members of staff were available to receive them.
However, the directive is facing resistance from the Shehu Mohammed-led faction of ASCSN, with its Secretary General, Joshua Apebo, insisting that the industrial action remains in force until the issues in dispute are fully resolved, reports The Guardian.
In a September 18, 2026 letter to all state branch chairmen, chapter chairmen and unit chairmen of unity colleges and state secretaries, the union accused the Ministry of Education of undermining the September 14 agreement reached with ASCSN and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), alleging that the ministry subsequently entered into a parallel agreement with persons it said lacked the mandate and recognition of the association.
Also, in a communiqué issued after an emergency virtual meeting of the zonal coordinators, the Mohammed-led faction of the association accused the ministry of failing to honour key aspects of the understanding reached with labour, particularly the constitution of the promised broad-based committee and release of documents relating to the King’s College concession.
However, in separate notices cited by our correspondent, the PTAs of FGC Warri and FGGC Sagamu advised parents to keep their children and wards at home until the ongoing dispute between the Federal Ministry of Education and the unions is resolved.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Director, Press and Public Relations at the ministry, Folasade Boriowo, proved abortive as of the time of filing this report.
However, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, have urged KCOBA to leverage its network of intellectuals, experts and professionals produced by the institution over the years to address the challenges facing the college.
They noted that the school, which was once an epitome of educational excellence and a shining beacon of secondary schools in the country, must continue to maintain the standard.
Alausa, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Salisu Shehu, at the 117th yearly Founders Day Lecture & Anniversary Ball of the King’s College Lagos held at the weekend in Lagos, stated that King’s College Lagos’ designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was one legacy that was earned through its significant role and status in the education ecosystem.
On his part, Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the state’s Head of Service, Bode Agoro, emphasised that the alumni have an important role to play in addressing the challenges facing the college.
He said it was time the alumni started to think about how to incorporate Artificial Intelligence, digital technology, new inventions and robots into the learning curriculum to create new opportunities for the future generations of the college.
Meanwhile, Chairmen of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in some of the unity schools have challenged the Federal Government to produce evidence backing allegations that PTAs in some schools demand as much as N20 million for admission.
The PTA chairmen, in a rejoinder to comments attributed to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, during his media engagements on Wednesday, also demanded proof of alleged N100 million to N150 million legal fees reportedly incurred by PTA chairmen in connection with the controversy over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos.
They, therefore, urged the ministry to identify the schools, PTA officials, dates of transactions, bank accounts, admission documents and beneficiaries linked to the alleged N20 million payments, saying that sweeping allegations should not be used to criminalise PTA officials across the country.
The PTA leaders said their opposition to aspects of the King’s College concession should not be interpreted as opposition to development or private-sector participation in public education.
They said that parents supported the rehabilitation of schools, improved infrastructure and partnerships that would benefit students, but insisted that any arrangement that can change the ownership, control or management of a national public educational institution must comply with due process and provide sufficient transparency.
The chairmen consequently called on the ministry to publish the complete King’s College concession agreement, including its duration, financial obligations, performance indicators, termination provisions and safeguards for students, teachers and the public.
They specifically sought clarification on the reported 35-year arrangement transfer to the concessionaire and what would remain under direct federal government control.
